Dolphin Captivity Research Paper

As the cognitive abilities of dolphins become better understood, a conversation over whether dolphins should be kept in captivity has arisen. We are discovering everyday just how intelligent dolphins are, in fact they’re one of the smartest species on the planet. Which is why the question comes up: What are the effects of keeping such an intelligent species in captivity? With a living area that is constricted and empty, there appears to be very little room for a dolphin to grow, both physically and mentally. Dolphins are highly social creatures, so when that aspect of their identity is severely limited, how does that affect the creature mentally. In addition, dolphins grow accustomed to the life given to them in captivity. For example, being
fed dead fish, making it not used to hunting for fish that are alive. This could prove problematic on the chance that a dolphin does get released back into the wild with little to no training on how to survive. The effects that being kept in captivity can have on a dolphin (or any aquatic mammal for that reason) are pointing into a very negative direction.